Bosiljka Devcic
University Hospital Centre Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia.
Title: MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO PREDIALYSIS PATIENT
Biography
Biography: Bosiljka Devcic
Abstract
The prevalence of chronic kidney disease has reached epidemic proportions with 10% to 12% of the population and 50% of the eldery showing signs of kidney dysfunction. Today, the different stages of disease progression to dialysis are recognised and influence the risks and conditions associated with kidney disease itself, such as anaemia, malnutrition and bone disease which affect both morbidity and mortality. Treatment is comprehensive and requires proactive protection while reducing the risk of cardiovascular complication. Timely referral of patients ensures adequate time for the proper preparation of these patients for a form of replacement therapy in the form of dialysis or transplantation. Educating patients before dialysis in order to increase "health literacy" results in a number of benefits for patients, including: Delaying the onset of dialysis, reducing morbidity and mortality, avoiding complications of kidney disease, preparing patients for the start of dialysis and increasing the quality of life of these patients.
Keywords: chronic kidney disease, predialysis care, structured predialysis education